Bowery to Williamsburg

I'm a planner. Wil's a 'by the seat of his pants'-er. Sometimes this causes friction. Sometimes it all comes together. Our meal at Bowery to Williamsburg was one of those 'all comes together' times. I'd read about their pastries and the name had stuck in my head so when we were hurriedly walking back to meet Chris on our very first morning in Melbourne and I saw a wee sign with "Bowery to Williamsburg" written on it there was an about turn and I took off up an alleyway.  Wil followed and was happy to see a chalkboard menu promising pulled pork sandwiches. We had places to be, but I filed that away for a moment in our 'not quite planned' trip when it might come in handy.

That moment came two days later after a very crazy lightening storm when the raindrops had finally held back just long enough for us to get out of the apartment where we were staying. As we headed towards the city I offered "how about that place with the pulled pork?". An easy sell to a hungry North American. We were there in minutes. 

It's small and quirky. New York Jewish deli meets South Florida sandwich bar. It's all tiles and maps and everything good out of North America. There are good lunch deals for the harried office worker, or cosy corner tables for those who like to linger. I think you'd like it. 

Although it was pretty much lunchtime, and although a coffee was just what I needed after several (several) beers the night before,  I couldn't go past the peanut butter hot chocolate. The peanut butter chocolate combo is one that my husband introduced to me that has become a favourite. This was no exception. The cup was cute, the beverage was hot, rich and chocolatey, accompanied by a teeny, tiny peanut butter cup. I was a happy Kelly.

But I was hungry. While almost every sandwich on the menu called out to me I wanted to pick something I didn't think I could find back in Auckland and so chose the Lechon Adado, a cuban pork sandwich with yellow mustard sauce on a brioche bun. I'm a fan of brioche buns and this one was light and fluffy. The pork was tender, the slaw tangy and I was a happy pup. No more rumbling tummy here!

But what really got me going was the sandwich of the day, chosen by Wil: jamabalaya with chicken and chorizo. Be still my heart. It was the best sandwich I'd had in a long time and I was very glad I'd suggested we share before we started. If that had been my choice I wouldn't have given up half. It was good.

The only downside to this late-morning adventure was that with a hot chocolate and two hefty half sandwiches in my belly there was no space for dessert. A tragedy! Especially as I'd seen the key lime pie in the cabinet. I was heartbroken. I tried to get back there later in the day for a slice of pie but we didn't quite make it. Oh well, it will give us (another, not that we need one) to go back.

Bowery to Williamsburg

16 Oliver Lane

Melbourne